Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Movie Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 10, 2016

1978’s “Movie Movie” is meant to be throwback entertainment, replicating a filmgoing time of double features, where different genres were smashed together to provide an evening’s entertainment to those looking to get lost in disparate screen adventures. And who better to mastermind a spoof/homage to the cinematic achievements of the 1930s than director Stanley Donen, helmer of “Singing in the Rain” and “On the Town.” “Movie Movie” isn’t out to wow with plot and expanse, more interested in packing in jokes and adoration for the production era, assembling two short efforts that cover the gamut of emotional responses and musical opportunities, bringing together a gifted cast to breathe life into a screen experiment that’s ideal for those who personally value golden dreams of cinematic glamour and for those with short attentions spans.

In “Dynamite Hands,” aspiring law student Joey (Harry Hamlin) is pulled into the world of boxing to help acquire enough prize money to pay for his sister’s (Kathleen Beller) eye surgery in Vienna, training under the gruff mastery of ex-champion Gloves Malloy (George C. Scott) and his assistant, Peanuts (Red Buttons). Trying to keep romance alive with girlfriend Betsy (Trish Van Devere), Joey’s attention is pulled to showgirl Troubles Moran (Ann Reinking), while his professional world is threatened by dubious demands from gangster Vince (Eli Wallach). In “Baxter’s Beauties of 1933,” producer Spats Baxter (Scott) is given four weeks to live, urged to put on the best Broadway show he can. Trouble emerges with star Isobel (Van Devere), who’s a drunk, leaving the fate of the big production to newcomer Kitty (Rebecca York), who bewitches songwriter Dick (Barry Bostwick). As backstage drama unfolds and Kitty’s position as the next big thing is challenged by Isobel and her vindictive ways, Spats tries to maintain order and perfection, pouring everything into his farewell event.

Presented as a “Warren Bros. Production,” “Movie Movie” displays its playfulness from the very first frame. It’s a spoof of melodramas and musicals from the 1930s, but the effort emerges as its own thing, with screenwriters Larry Gelbart and Sheldon Keller clearly having a ball restoring the emotional highs and lows found in entertainment from the era, populated with a larger-than-life cast. The writing is immensely clever, offering the cast snappy dialogue to manage and some wordplay too, with “Dynamite Hands” the clear winner in the replication department, even finding Donen inspired to recreate the black and white world of a boxing drama. Retorts and exposition are smoothly traded, while the actors sink their teeth into the time machine experience, reviving a long lost tempo as they’re released into the wild, making every word, purr, and snap count.

While “Dynamite Hands” offers a musical number performed by Reinking, it’s “Baxter’s Beauties of 1933” that’s filled with showgirls and sets, trying to recreate the Busby Berkley experience with explosions of color and bodily movement (choreographed by Michael Kidd). In the mix are romantic intentions between Dick and Kitty, backstabbing plans from Isobel, and panic from Spats, but the short is more of a display for enormous song and dance sequences, with Bostwick especially determined to own the frame with his indefatigable spirit. “Baxter’s Beauties of 1933” is the more exaggerated viewing experience of the two pictures, with Donen carefully recreating the cinematic escapism of the day, highlighting its narrative simplicity and physical agility.

Movie Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation boasts an "HD master from the original internegative," delivering an enchantingly clear and fresh viewing experience that handles the feature's subtle design achievements quite well. Textures emerge on ornate costuming and facial particulars, and defined period ornamentation is all over this production, with distances preserved as well, showcasing Donen's commitment to authenticity. Black and white cinematography retains stability, though delineation feels unnecessarily threatened at times. Colors are refreshed and valued, offered broad primaries, including exaggerated reds. Skintones are natural. Source is in decent shape, only encountering a few brief blips of damage, speckling, and vertical scratching -- one persistent gouge pops up frequently in "Dynamite Hands."

Movie Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix manages the bigness of "Movie Movie" well, leading with musical clarity, which indentifies musicianship and mood without disruption. Dialogue exchanges are clean and expressive, managing a range of excited reactions and the general super-speed of line-readings. Hiss is mild but present. Atmospherics are comfortable, capturing stage and arena activity and crowd bustle.

Movie Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (46:23, HD) with Harry Hamlin covers his film debut as an actor, with the stage-trained thespian defiant in his distaste for a big screen career, almost accidentally falling into a starring role for "Movie Movie." Hamlin's candor is most welcome, describing his early battles with excessive pride and the first day of work on the picture, where nothing was accomplished due to drunken antics from George C. Scott and Art Carney (who were apparently doing riffs from "The Honeymooners" in a nearby trailer). Hamlin goes on to discuss his troubled experience making "Clash of the Titans," his quickie role in "King of the Mountain," and a unique career proposal that would have the young actor star in "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" and "First Blood," with Hamlin refusing to participate due to full-frontal nudity requirements.

• Interview (29:13, HD) with Barry Bostwick explores the actor's unusual flexibility requirements for "Movie Movie," moving from Tony-winning Broadway work to a Stanley Donen film, while lacking an instinct for dance choreography. Bostwick praises co-stars and shares an appreciation for the feature, listing it as his second favorite film project. Amazingly, Bostwick answers a few questions regarding his work on "Megaforce," sharing exactly what inspired the flamboyant look of his character, the impossibly named Ace Hunter. The actor also offers a few thoughts on "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

• Interview (16:34, HD) with Kathleen Beller catches up with the co-star of "Dynamite Hands," who offers an assessment of co-stars and a recollection of that infamous first day of filming. Beller shares anecdotes concerning her time on "The Sword and the Sorcerer" and "Surfacing," and forever endears herself to this writer with the quote, "Sometimes critics are right and audiences are wrong," referring to the initial theatrical release of "Movie Movie."

• "George Burns Intro" (2:26, SD) shares the original theatrical opening of the feature, where the famed cigar-smoking comedian provides a brief explanation of the unique "Movie Movie" viewing experience.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Movie Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While "Movie Movie" (which also features a faux trailer for the World War I blockbuster "Zero Hour") enjoys stretches of silliness, Donen takes the directorial challenge seriously, working to make the best looking pictures he can, filling the frame with color, light, and performance. It's impressive work from the legend, who's secure in his ability to generate laughs and thrills as dancing and goofballery collide. Frankly, there should be a "Movie Movie" for all genres and eras out there, making a fun companion piece with 2007's "Grindhouse." This level of admiration for the joys of filmgoing doesn't come around nearly enough, making for a special viewing event that's in love with the magic of a movie theater.